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Friday, April 17, 2026 · sitting No. 105

Commons advances lawful access bill after privacy debate

The House spent the largest share of its time on government orders for the Lawful Access Act 2026. Conservative MP Ziad Aboultaif said Canada remains the only Five Eyes country without such a system and called for committee study to strengthen the bill while protecting privacy rights. Bloc Québécois MP Claude DeBellefeuille questioned whether the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency would receive timely notification of orders under Bill C-22.

Question period featured repeated exchanges on the economy and fuel taxes. Conservative MP Gabriel Hardy said 60 per cent of Canadians report financial strain from price increases and asked why the government continues to tax essentials. Liberal MP Mélanie Joly replied that wage growth has outpaced inflation and that a federal excise tax cut effective Monday will deliver 10 cents per litre at the pump.

Further clashes arose over the notwithstanding clause and CRA payments. Bloc Québécois MP Marilène Gill accused the justice minister of seeking to constrain Quebec's use of the clause before a Supreme Court ruling. Conservative MP Gérard Deltell asked how many millions the Canada Revenue Agency has issued to fraudsters without verification.

From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard

Question Period – April 17, 2026. Video from CPAC. Watch on YouTube

Who held the floor · 2026-04-17

Government (Liberal)OppositionOver the day: government 37%, opposition 63% of the words spokenGovernment businessQuestion PeriodGovernment business▲ Government side held the floor▼ Opposition held the floorOpened 10:0011:0012:0013:00Last speech 13:45Time of day, Ottawa · the House sat 3 h 45 min · each dot is a stretch of debate, placed at the minute it began
30Another sitting that went nowhereThe sitting focused almost entirely on debate over the Lawful Access Act and other topics, with a high share of words on substantive business but no recorded votes or bills advancing any stage. Question period produced mostly deflected or misdirected answers and nothing was decided.AI-rated Score out of 100; the verdict and the answer ratings behind it are a model’s reading. How the AI rates this

AI-rated The sitting score and the rating of each answer come from a language model reading Hansard. How the AI rates this

Other moments

Rail Transportation

Conservative MP Michael Barrett said the transport minister dismissed concerns over the $90-billion Alto project and urged cancellation to protect homes and farms in eastern Ontario.

Read the exchange

Infrastructure

Bloc Québécois MP Claude DeBellefeuille said Salaberry-de-Valleyfield risks losing its price guarantee on a bike path because federal approval has not arrived after two years.

Read the exchange

Firearms

Conservative MP Jason Groleau said Bill C-21 treats hunters as criminals and wastes nearly $1 billion while real crime rises.

Read the exchange

Indigenous Affairs

Conservative MP Chak Au said the City of Richmond has received no commitment to defend property rights in the Cowichan land claim.

Read the exchange

Health

New Democrat MP Heather McPherson asked what it will take for the government to enforce the Canada Health Act against two-tier plans in Alberta.

Read the exchange

Question Period, exchange by exchange

AI-rated Each answer’s rating (answered, partly answered, deflected, answered something else) is a model’s reading of the exchange. How the AI rates this

  1. deflected
    The EconomyGabriel Hardy (Conservative) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). loaded question.The answer reframes the question around policy defense rather than addressing the claim of ideological spending and taxation.what is ideological about our decision to lower the price of groceries, lower the price of oil and lower taxes in this country?
  2. partly answered
    The EconomyGabriel Hardy (Conservative) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). loaded question.The answer addresses housing measures but pivots to attack Conservatives instead of fully explaining youth economic despair after 11 years.we will be there to help build more homes across Quebec and across the country.
  3. misdirected
    The EconomyKyle Seeback (Conservative) asked Ryan Turnbull (Liberal). substantive question.The answer attacks Conservative voting record and avoids addressing whether Liberal programs are failing amid deficit growth.The Conservatives want us to believe that they would actually do more for Canadians but, every chance they get, they would do less.
  4. deflected
    The EconomyKyle Seeback (Conservative) asked Ryan Turnbull (Liberal). loaded question.The answer lists Liberal tax cuts but ignores the core claim that policies have left Canadians near insolvency.We have moved forward with the groceries and essentials benefit, which is worth almost $1,900 for the average Canadian family.
  5. deflected
    TaxationRachael Thomas (Conservative) asked Leslie Church (Liberal). loaded question.The answer defends the 10¢ cut but does not address why it rejected the larger 25¢ proposal or why savings are illusory.This Monday, a federal break on the excise tax on fuel comes into effect, which is going to save Canadians 10¢ at the pump.
  6. deflected
    TaxationRachael Thomas (Conservative) asked Leslie Church (Liberal). loaded question.The answer emphasizes cumulative Liberal cuts but sidesteps the question of real net savings given summer price hikes.we have actually saved Canadians 28¢ at the pump when we cancelled the carbon tax and now, as of Monday, with an additional 10¢ that we are taking off
  7. deflected
    JusticeMarilène Gill (Bloc) asked Patricia Lattanzio (Liberal). loaded question.The answer pivots to Charter defense without addressing the timing or intent to constrain the notwithstanding clause before a ruling.the Minister of Justice 's comments will always support the fact that this government is the party of the charter.
  8. deflected
    JusticeMarilène Gill (Bloc) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). loaded question.The answer highlights cooperation with Quebec but avoids the claim of limiting provincial powers on secularism and language.we are going to work together to defend Quebeckers and Canadians.
  9. deflected
    JusticeMario Simard (Bloc) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). loaded question.Answer ignores the veto and secularism question entirely and pivots to jobs and a visiting premier.Our objective is to protect jobs, create more jobs and improve the living condition of Quebeckers in the midst of a tariff war.
  10. partly answered
    The EconomyJohn Barlow (Conservative) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). loaded question.Answer addresses the RBC report claim by quoting a different passage but does not engage the trillion-dollar promise to Trump.Canada is back on the radar of global investors. Last year, foreign direct investment in Canada reached nearly $100 billion, the highest level since 2015.
  11. deflected
    The EconomyJohn Barlow (Conservative) asked Ryan Turnbull (Liberal). loaded question.Answer again quotes the RBC report and ignores all specific farm-tax and research-centre questions.As usual, Mr. Speaker, the Conservatives do not actually read the reports they quote in this House.
  12. deflected
    TaxationDane Lloyd (Conservative) asked Ryan Turnbull (Liberal). loaded question.Answer lists existing benefits but never addresses the specific refusal to remove fuel taxes or the one-third tax-cut criticism.The groceries and essentials benefit is almost $1,900 for families.
  13. answered
    TaxationDane Lloyd (Conservative) asked Leslie Church (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly explains the excise-tax removal and its effect on fuel prices and businesses.Canadians are going to get a real break on Monday, when they see the prices drop at the gas pump by 10¢ a litre with the federal excise tax on fuel coming off.
  14. partly answered
    TaxationRoman Baber (Conservative) asked Leslie Church (Liberal). loaded question.Answer covers the excise-tax cut and benefit but sidesteps the foreign-aid comparison and GST/clean-fuel demands.They are going to feel that this Monday when they see prices drop at the gas pumps because we are removing the federal excise tax on fuel.
  15. misdirected
    TaxationRoman Baber (Conservative) asked Leslie Church (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks the Conservatives on school food instead of addressing gas-tax or deficit questions.it is more than a bit rich to hear the member opposite talk about kids going hungry when that party will not vote in favour of a national school food program to save their lives.
  16. misdirected
    TaxationKathy Borrelli (Conservative) asked Peter Fragiskatos (Liberal). loaded question.Answer attacks Conservative policy positions rather than answering why fuel and grocery taxes were not cut.What would the Conservatives do? We see what we are doing.
  17. deflected
    InfrastructureClaude DeBellefeuille (Bloc) asked Gregor Robertson (Liberal). substantive question.The answer gives general statements about negotiations instead of addressing the specific deadline or lack of response.we are at the negotiating table; we are in discussions with Quebec.
  18. deflected
    InfrastructureClaude DeBellefeuille (Bloc) asked Mélanie Joly (Liberal). substantive question.The answer offers broad assurances about working on solutions without providing any timeline or confirmation for the projects.We are working on solutions to support active transportation throughout Quebec.
  19. deflected
    Canada Revenue AgencyGérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Ryan Turnbull (Liberal). substantive question.The answer avoids giving any number and instead emphasizes seriousness and inability to comment on specific cases.While we cannot comment on specific cases that are matters before the courts
  20. deflected
    Canada Revenue AgencyGérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Ryan Turnbull (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses general service improvements and enforcement without addressing the veteran's specific unpaid ruling or the contrast raised.the CRA deals with millions of tax filings and does its very best to ensure a high quality of service.
  21. deflected
    FirearmsJason Groleau (Conservative) asked Gary Anandasangaree (Liberal). loaded question.The answer provides positive program details and enrollment numbers instead of addressing whether the law is a failure or should be scrapped.This is a program that essentially will ensure that prohibited firearms are off our streets.
  22. deflected
    FirearmsJason Groleau (Conservative) asked Gary Anandasangaree (Liberal). loaded question.The answer highlights the importance of the program and past tragedies without answering whether it will be scrapped.We know that the program is important to ensure the safety and security of Canadians.
  23. deflected
    TaxationGaétan Malette (Conservative) asked Sophie Chatel (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges gas price help for farmers but pivots to unrelated tax credits and processing without addressing use of extra revenues.Yes, reducing the price of gas will really help farmers, but we are not stopping there.
  24. deflected
    Canada Revenue AgencySandra Cobena (Conservative) asked Ryan Turnbull (Liberal). substantive question.The answer stresses safeguards and illegality but refuses to confirm or deny the specific $5-million fraudulent payment.The CRA has implemented additional safeguards to help ensure greater consistency and accuracy in refund processing.
  25. deflected
    Canada Revenue AgencySandra Cobena (Conservative) asked Ryan Turnbull (Liberal). loaded question.The answer avoids specifics on fraud amounts or confidence by citing court proceedings.The matter is before the courts, which we cannot comment on, of course.
  26. deflected
    Canada Revenue AgencyJacob Mantle (Conservative) asked Ryan Turnbull (Liberal). substantive question.The response repeats general enforcement measures without addressing accountability.I have already answered this question multiple times today, but I will just add that when debt is established to the CRA, the agency takes legal action if necessary, using all available measures to ensure compliance.
  27. deflected
    TaxationJacob Mantle (Conservative) asked Ryan Turnbull (Liberal). loaded question.The answer sidesteps the tax cut proposal and repeats prior points on enforcement.The matter that the member is referring to is before the courts, and I cannot comment further, obviously.
  28. misdirected
    TaxationMel Arnold (Conservative) asked Gregor Robertson (Liberal). substantive question.The response shifts focus to housing initiatives instead of gas and food taxes.When we look at the cost of housing, we see that we have more work to do with Build Canada Homes and many other initiatives on housing.
  29. misdirected
    TaxationMel Arnold (Conservative) asked Randeep Sarai (Liberal). loaded question.The answer promotes existing benefits rather than addressing the requested tax relief.She also thanks me for the dental benefit that is helping her and her children get dental care.
  30. deflected
    Indigenous AffairsChak Au (Conservative) asked Rebecca Alty (Liberal). substantive question.The answer accuses the opposition of attacks while offering only a vague commitment to respond.The Conservatives are trying to re-litigate this very serious court case using partisan political attacks, which could seriously undermine the legal process and the work we are doing.
  31. misdirected
    Indigenous AffairsTamara Kronis (Conservative) asked Taleeb Noormohamed (Liberal). substantive question.The response attacks the Conservatives on fearmongering instead of outlining a plan for property rights.The Conservatives are fearmongering, they are spreading misinformation and they are causing disruption in the economy of British Columbia.
  32. deflected
    Indigenous AffairsTamara Kronis (Conservative) asked Rebecca Alty (Liberal). substantive question.The answer states a general preference for negotiation without addressing the specific appeal argument limitation.However, as a government, we always prefer to negotiate instead of going to court.
  33. deflected
    Rail TransportationMichael Barrett (Conservative) asked Mike Kelloway (Liberal). loaded question.Answer promotes project benefits and consultations without addressing cancellation request or specific harms claimed.We will work with all Canadians to make this project happen.
  34. deflected
    Rail TransportationMichael Barrett (Conservative) asked Mike Kelloway (Liberal). loaded question.Answer pivots to partisan contrast and vague consultation claims instead of engaging environmental or rights concerns.when it comes to nation-building projects, the Conservatives practise fear and loathing while we practise hope and action.
  35. misdirected
    EthicsMichael Cooper (Conservative) asked Mike Kelloway (Liberal). substantive question.Answer dismisses the ethics inconsistency query with a fishing metaphor rather than reconciling the minister's actions with the screen.This is a rather large fishing expedition.
  36. partly answered
    Agriculture and Agri-FoodDavid Bexte (Conservative) asked Sophie Chatel (Liberal). substantive question.Answer acknowledges red tape concerns and references a committee report but does not commit to supporting the specific bill.In committee, we just worked on a report that has several recommendations for our government, and we will be acting upon it.
  37. deflected
    Climate ChangeAlexandre Boulerice (NDP) asked Claude Guay (Liberal). rhetorical question.Rhetorical statement receives a broad policy restatement unrelated to the implied criticism of Liberal climate efforts.Canadians voted to strengthen our economy and develop our natural resources while also fighting climate change.
  38. answered
    HealthHeather McPherson (NDP) asked Maggie Chi (Liberal). substantive question.Answer directly addresses enforcement of the Canada Health Act and outlines actions on Alberta's plan and federal investments.Our government is continuing to engage with the Province of Alberta to better understand the various components and implications of its proposed changes and ensure they align with the principles of the Canada Health Act.